Some of the benefits of battery storage for solar panels in the UK are:

• You can store excess electricity produced by your solar panels during the day and use it later when the sun is not shining or when the grid electricity is more expensive. This way, you can maximise your self-consumption of solar energy and minimise your grid imports.
• You can take advantage of time-of-use tariffs that offer cheaper electricity at off-peak times. You can charge your battery from the grid when the electricity is cheap and use it when the electricity is expensive. This can help you lower your energy costs and balance the grid demand.
• You can increase your energy security and resilience in case of power outages or grid failures. You can use your battery as a backup power source to keep your essential appliances running until the grid is restored.
• You can reduce your carbon footprint and environmental impact by using more renewable energy and less fossil-fuel based energy. You can also support the integration of more renewable energy sources into the grid by providing flexibility and stability.

Some of the drawbacks and limitations of battery storage for solar panels in the UK are:

• The initial cost of a solar battery is high. Depending on the size, type, and quality of the battery, it can cost between £2,000 and £11,000.
• If you have an old feed-in tariff (FIT) contract that pays you for both generation and export of electricity, adding a battery may reduce your export payments. This is because a direct current (DC) coupled battery system will reduce the amount of electricity that goes through your generation meter. However, this does not apply to an alternating current (AC) coupled battery system or a smart export guarantee (SEG) contract.
• The capacity and performance of a solar battery may degrade over time due to various factors such as temperature, cycling, depth of discharge, and state of charge. This means that the battery may store less electricity and deliver less power as it ages.
• The installation and maintenance of a solar battery may require additional equipment, space. For example, you may need a new inverter, a mounting system, a monitoring device, and a protection device for your battery system. We would also need to ensure that it complies with any safety standards and regulations for installing and operating a battery system.

Therefore, whether battery storage is a good idea for solar panels in the UK depends on your individual circumstances, preferences, and goals. We can sit down and chat about it and consider all the factors such as your energy consumption patterns, solar system size, available roof space, budget, payback period, warranty, features, and environmental impact before you make any decision to invest in a solar battery.

If you are interested in getting a solar battery for your home or business in the UK, please, just call us and we can guide you through it all.